Director Technical Product Management

Job Description

Are you a collaborative leader passionate about connecting data to scientific discovery? We are seeking a Director to build the foundational data capabilities for our Research division, empowering our scientists to develop the next generation of life-saving therapies.

This is more than a job; it's a chance to be at the epicenter of science and technology. Our scientists are generating vast and complex oceans of data—from the genetic code of a single cell to detailed images of biological processes. You will be the architect who builds the bridges and platforms needed to connect, understand, and harness this information.

Your work will directly empower our researchers to find the crucial signals in the noise, enabling the discovery of new drugs and uncovering the secrets of disease. This role is a cornerstone of our long-term innovation agenda and places you at the very heart of our mission to save and improve lives.

Purpose of the Position 

We are creating this new Director-level role to build a critical pillar for our research organization: Data & Analytics Foundations. Your core mission is to design and operationalize the capabilities that will allow our scientists to trust their data, share insights, and make sustainable, data-driven decisions. You will be the architect of an ecosystem built for collaboration and scientific acceleration, turning groundbreaking research into tangible outcomes.

Welcome to Our Team 

You'll be joining our innovative Research and Development organization at a pivotal and exciting moment. You will have the unique opportunity to shape a new function, working in partnership with dynamic teams across data, technology, and science. We are a community united by a common goal: to empower our researchers with world-class capabilities. We foster a culture of open communication, mutual support, and deep collaboration, and we are looking for a thoughtful leader to guide this new frontier.

Main responsibilities

• You will lead the effort to bring our research systems together, designing thoughtful solutions that allow data to flow seamlessly and reduce the need for manual work, fostering better collaboration.

• You will guide the work to ensure data "means the same thing" everywhere, creating common understanding and improving data quality so our scientists can rely on it with confidence.

• You will build our first-ever master and reference data capabilities for Research, creating a reliable, single source of truth for our most critical scientific assets.

• You will develop the long-term vision and technical roadmap for our data foundations, ensuring our solutions are secure, scalable, and thoughtfully designed to meet scientific needs.

• You will act as a supportive leader and mentor for a team of technical experts, fostering an environment of learning, growth, and shared success.

• You will be a key partner for our discovery scientists, lab operations, and IT teams, listening to their challenges and translating them into foundational solutions that help everyone move forward.

Your Profile 

We are looking for a leader who brings a blend of strategic thinking, technical knowledge, and a collaborative spirit.

• You are a strategic builder with significant experience (7+ years) in data architecture, technical product management, or a related field, and you are motivated by the opportunity to create new capabilities.

• You have a deep understanding of data principles, including integration, data modeling, and master data management (MDM/RDM).

• You are a thoughtful and inspiring leader, known for your ability to bring people together, define a clear vision, and guide teams to achieve collective goals.

• You are an excellent communicator and an even better listener, skilled at understanding different perspectives and building consensus between technical and scientific groups.

• You have a strong working knowledge of modern cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure) and enterprise data architecture.

• You have experience with, or a strong appreciation for, working in regulated scientific environments (e.g., GxP, biopharma).

• You hold a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a scientific field (like biology or chemistry) or a technical one (like computer science or engineering).

What We Offer

• Exciting work in a great team, global projects, international environment

• Opportunity to learn and grow professionally within the company globally

• Hybrid working model, flexible role pattern

• Pension and health insurance contributions

• Internal reward system plus referral program

• 5 weeks annual leave, 5 sick days, 15 days of certified sick leave paid above statutory requirements annually, 40 paid hours annually for volunteering activities, 12 weeks of parental contribution

• Cafeteria for tax free benefits according to your choice (meal vouchers, sports, culture, health, travel, etc.); Multisport Card

• Vodafone, Raiffeisen Bank, Foodora, and other discount programs

• Up-to-date laptop and iPhone

• Parking in the garage for drivers or showers for bikers

• Competitive salary, incentive pay, and many more

Required Skills:

Agile Methodology, Compliance Frameworks, Data Governance, Data Integration, Management System Development, Product Strategies, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, System Designs, Systems Delivery

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

05/20/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.